But Powergen still wanted £62 and sent the 82-year-old letters leaving him upset and worried about legal action.

Consumer watchdog energywatch took up his case and won an apology and assurance from PowerGen the matter was at an end.

But days later the pensioner had another letter from debt collectors.

Now, after calls from the Daily Post, the energy company has written off the debt, and promised the pensioner will get no more bills.

A spokeswoman for PowerGen said: "We have spoken to Mr Liptrot who is happy with the outcome of the situation."

Energywatch is using Mr Liptrot's case in a Westminster bid to make power companies change their ways or face a legal ban on power disconnections.

MPs on the influential trade and industry select committee outlined a raft of reforms needed and warn they would recommend the Government legislate to ban disconnections of domestic fuel supply.

In another Rhyl case a shop-owner who lived with his wife and two-month-old baby above his premises built up a debt of £2,000 to ScottishPower over six months. While he was out, the company cut off the power, and refused to re-connect unless the debt was cleared. The family endured almost 48 hours without heat or light and were forced to sleep in their van. They were reconnected only when the consumer borrowed £2,000 from relatives.